Door-controlled electric-lighting switch



2 Sheets-Sheet l J. M. KERN DOOR CONTROLLED ELECTRIC LIGHTING SWITCH Filed Nov. 2, 1923 rTo/vgy 2 sheets-sheet 2 J. M. KERN DOOR CONTROLLED ELECTRI LIGHTING SWITCH Filed Nov. 2, 1923 HTroR/vfy Patented Mar. 1,- 1927.

' switch for electric `lightin vclass, set Jr'orth in my pen UNITED STATES 1,619,134 PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. KERN, F OSWEGO, NEW YORK.

DOR-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC-LIGHTING SWITCH.

Application filed November 2, 1923. Serial No. 672,289.

'I his invention rela-tes toa l only to break the lighting circuit when the door is closed and permit the automatic closing of the circuit when thedoor is opened as lin my pending application referred to, but also to utilize a part of the same switchcontrolling means for closing and opening the circuit at will whether the door is opened or closed.

right stile or jamb -B- Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the device will be brought out 1n the following description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of a door partly broken away, and adjacent stiles of the door opening showing the light-controlling switch in operative poition in the stile at the opening edge of the oor.

Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged horizontal sectional views of the same device taken in different horizontal planes, on lines 2-2 and 3-3, Figure 5. Figure 4 is an inverted horizontal sectional view of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3, taken in the plane of lino 4 4, Fig` ure 5.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken in the plane of line 5-5, Fig

ure 2. y

Figures 6 and 7 are transverse vertical sectional yviews taken respectively in the planes of lines 6-6 and 7-47, Figure 2 except that the commutator and ratchet wheels iare shown in elevation;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a portion of one end of the device taken in the plane of line 8-8, Fig- -ure 7.

In' order that my invention may be clearly understood, l have shown a portion of a door -A- as hinged to one of the upright stiles -'-Bv of the door opening and adapted to swing against the other opposite upin which the lighting switch is installed for automatic control by the free edge of the door.

The various parts of the switch are preferably mounted in a suitable case or housing consisting, in this instance, of bottom and top walls -1- and -1-, opposite side walls -2- and -2- and end walls -3- and -3- which are removably secured to the end edges of-the bottom, top and side walls by screws -4 or equivalent fastening means shown by dotted `lines in Figure 5, all of which parts except the screws, may bemade of bakelite, vulcanized fiber or other suitable insulating material capable of being molded to the desired form ormay be made of cast or sheet metal with suitable provision for insulating the various electrical parts to prevent short circuits.

The entire case or housing ispreferablyy inserted in a mortised opening T11- in the jamb or stile -B-- with its end wall -3- substantially flush with the corresponding inner face of the jamb where it is held in place by screws -5- passing through Wings or extensions -6- on the lower and upper. edges of the end wall 3- as shown in Figure 5. V

Enclosed within the case or housing is an electric switch consisting, in this instance, of a rotary disk `7- of electric conduct-l ing material and a contact brush -8- preferably of spring metal tensioned to contact at one end with the upper face of the disk -7- and having its other end secured by a suitable binding post -9- to the end wall -3- of the case and adapted to be connected in an electric lighting circuit.

The disk -7- is secured by any suitable fastening means to a sleeve -10- of insulating material which in turn is rotatably mounted upon a screw spindle or stud -11- having its upper end secured to a bracket 12fprojecting inwardly from the end wall -3- as shown in Figure 5.

The disk -7- is preferably circular and concentric with the axis of the sleeve l0- and pivotal bolt or screw -11- and is provided witha plurality of, in this instance four, segments -13- projecting axially across the periphery' of the adjacent portion of the sleeve -10- in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially to form intervening insulating spaces, and together with the inclosed part of the sleeve -10 constitutes what may be termed a commutato'r.

The portion of the sleeve -10- engaged by the segments -13- is flanged and is of somewhat less axial depth than that of the segments which therefore, project slightly beyond the lower face of the ange to form contact faces for engagement by a suitable brush `1l-.

The circumferential lengths of the segments -13-.`are somewhat less than the spaces between them so as to enable the contact end of the brush 14C- to alternately register with the segments and spaces as the disk -7 is rotated step by step in a manner hereinafter described.

The brush -14- is preferably made of spring metal and has one end secured by a binding post -15- to the end wall 3'- of the case for electrical connection with the lighting circuit and its other end extended under the lower face of the segments -13- and adjacent flange of the sleeve -10- for alternate engagement with said segments and flange as the sleeve -10 and disk ethereon are rotated for alternately closing and opening the lighting circuit.

The sleeve l0- and its commutator segments -13- are normally set to register one of the spaces with the contact end of the brush -14 when the door is closed and it therefore, follows that the lighting circuit will be normally opened to extinguish any li hts which may be connected therein and hat if the sleeve -10- is r0- tated one-eighth of a revolution, Iit will bring the next segment of 4the commutator into registration with the brush lllto close the circuit and thus energize the lights therein. If this successive step by step rotation of the sleeve -10- is repeated, the segments 13- and spaces between them will be alternately registered with the contact end of the brush 1% and will therefore, elfect a corresponding alternate opening and closing of the lighting circuit.

A plunger -1U6 is reciprocally movable along a dovetailed guide`l7 on the bottom -1- of the housing and is provided with a reduced outer end -16- of rectangular cross section projecting through a corresponding opening -l7- 1n the end wall --3- into the path of movement of the free edge of the door -A-, the outer end of the extension -16- being beveled transversely to permit the free edge of the door to ride thereagainst when closed for forcing the plunger inwardly.

This inward movement of the plun er is utilized for opening the electric lig ting switch to break the lighting circuit by the closing of the door and for this purpose the plunger is provided with a movable section -18 having one end pivoted at 19- to the plunger to permit it to swing lati erally or horizontally and its other end provided with a wedge-shaped extension -20 adapted to enter between the free end of the brush -8- and upper face of the disk inwardly by the closing of the door to the position shown in Figure 3, said member -l8- being made of insulating material so that when wedged between the contact member-S- and disk 7 it will effectively break the lighting circuit.

On the other hand, when the door is opened, the plunger l6- including its pivoted member *1S- will be automatically returned or retracted by means of a coil spring -2l-nntil limited by the engagement of the larger portion of the plunger with the inner face of the end wall -3- as shown in Figure 5.

As previously stated, the commutator disk -7- and commutator brush -l4- are normally set 'to cause one of the spaces between the segments 13 to register with the brush -lel and inasmuch as the four segments are arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially,`it is'evident that each one-eighth of a revolution of the sleeve -l0- with the disk -7- thereon will cause the segments -13- and intervening spaces between the segments to alternately register with the Contact end of the commutator brush 14ethereby alternately making and breaking the electrical connection between the disk --7'` and commutator brush -14=- and in order that this rotary movement of the disk may be controlled by the closing and opening of the door in such manner as to assure contact between one of the segments and commutator brush when the door is opened, the sleeve --10- is provided with a four-tooth ratchet wheel 522- rigid therewith and having its teeth in equally spaced relation circumferentially and adapted to be engaged by suitable pawls -23- and -2"- carried by the' plunger -16 as shown more clearly in Figure 4.

One of the pawls as `.Q3-- is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel at one side of its axis as the plunger -16- is forced inwardlyyby the closing of the door for rotating the sleeve and commutator segments one-eighth of a revolution for breaking the lighting circuit While the other pawl -QBL- is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet on the opposite side of its axis by the return movement of the plunger -l6 through the medium of the retracting spring -21- when the door is opened thereby rotating the sleeve and commutator segments another one-eighth of a revolution in the same direction to restore the electrical connection between the disk --?'b` and commutator brush lll- It is now clear that when vthe door is opened and the plunger --16-` is forced to will be forced contact brush 8 to break the lighting -push button its extreme outwardposition by the spring -21`-, electrical connection will be established between one of the segments -13- and commutator brush --14- and that when the door' is closed, this electrical connection between the commutator disk -7-. and brush -14- will be broken but will be again restored immediately vupon the opening of the door.

These results are particularly desirous as a matter-of economy in the use of electric current in connection with doors leading to cellars, attics, bath rooms, garages and' in other relations where there is more or less liability of omitting to turn olf the lights when the doors are closed from the outside of the lighted room.

It is desirable however, to provide the same device with means whereby the lights may be turned on and off independently of theoperation of the door, that is, whether the door'is opened `or closed, and for thispurpose the sleeve lis provided with an extra ratchet wheel -24- having eight teeth in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially and adapted to be operated by a Q- through the medium of a pawl -26-, said, push button being also -provided with an inwardly projecting extension -27- adapted to engage and ldisplace the pivoted section -l8 of the plunger -16- from between the disk v--7-- and contact brush -8- when the door is closed.

That is, the pivoted section -18- of the plunger -16 is provided intermediate its` vends with a boss -18- which, when the door is opened and the plunger -16- is at its extreme outward movement-is out of the path ofl movement of the extension 27 of the push button -25-, but is forced into the path of movement of said extension -27- when the plunger l--16- is forced inwardly by the closing of the door at which time, the wed e-shaped extension -20- etween the disk -7- and circuit.

Now, if it is desired to restore the light while thedoor is closed, it is simply necessary to push the button inwardly which will cause the extension -27- to engage the boss -18- and thereby displace the wed e-shaped extension -20- from between t e disk -7- and contact brush --8- wholly to one side of the brush thus permitting the brush to establish electrical connection with the disk -7-, it being understood that when the door is closed, the space between the segments -13- will be registered with the commutator brush -14.-.

This inward -movement of the plunger -25- together with its extension 27.- and pawl 26 not only causes the extenthe wedge-shaped i pawl l-26- to rotate the ratchet wheel4 -24- one tooth Vspace or one-eighth of a turn which will cause one of the segments -13- to contact with theV commutator brush 14- thereby closing the lighting circuit and energizing the electric lamps.

As soonas these electric connections have been established by the operation of the push button -25, the latter may be released and returned' by a retracting spring -28-, Figure 4, the ratchet wheels being prevented from backward rotation or excessive forward rotation by means of a detent 2Q- which is secured to the end Wall -3- and is spring pressed against the periphery of the ratchet wheel 24- as shown in Figure 4.

A retracting spring -30- is secured to the plunger' -16-- and is Spring pressed against one edge of the pivoted sectionv -18- as shown in Figure 3, for returning the pivoted section -18- to its normal position after being displaced by the operatlon of the push button 25- and its extension -27- and when the plunger -16- is returned by the action of'the spring -21- when the door is opened.

The push button -25- is guided in a hollow boss -31- projecting' outwardly from the side -2-- of the case or housing. and through a suitable opening -b in the corresponding side of the door casing -B- preferably facing the room in which the lights to be controlled are located.

The hollow boss 3lis preferably made separate from the sidewall -2- of the housing to permit it to be secured in position after'the main body of the housing has been inserted in the opening -bto avoid excessive mutilation of the door jamb or casing -B- but is rigidly secured to the side wall -2- by clamping bolts -32-, Figure 3.

The inner portion of the push button -25- is preferably flattened and elongated vertically at -25- to fit in a corresponding opening in the hollow boss -31- to prevent turning of the push button and parts carried thereby, and also to form a stop for engaging the outer wall of the boss and thereby limiting the outward movement of the push button by its retracting spring -28-, as shown in Figure 6, said retracting spring being secured to the inner face of the side wall -2- by any suitable fastening means as a screw -33`-, Figure 4.

Operation.

' Assuming that the door is in its normal closed position to force the plunger -16- lll) inwardly againsl the action of. the spring 21-, Figure 3, in which case one of the spaces between the commutator segments *13` will be registered with the commutator brush -14`, and that the wedge-shaped extension of the section -18 of the plungers `16- has been forced between the disk *7- and switch brush *8 thereby breaking the lighting circuit for extinguishing the lights -which may be connected therein; then a person opening the door to enter the room in which the lamps are located would permit thel plunger -l6- to be forced outwardly by itsretracting spring -2lthereby causing the pawl -23- to rotate the ratchet wheel -22 one tooth space or one-eighth of a turn to bring one of the segments 13- into electrical contact with the commutator brush *la* for closing the lighting circuit and energizing the lamps.

Now, if the door Should be yclosed either purposely or by accident while the person is still in the room in which the lights are located, it would of course, force the plunger --16` inwardly and cause the pawl ,23-- to engage and rotate the ratchet wheel -22- one-eight of a turn which would cause the registration of one of the spaces between the segments with the commutator brush 14;- and thereby break the lighting circuit and extinguish the lights, and if it should be desired to leave the door closed and to re-energize the lamps, it would be simply necessary to push the button -25 inwardly thereby causing the extension -27 to displace the wedge -20- from between the disk -7- and switch brush 8 to re-establish electrical connection between those parts and would also cause the pawl -26- to engage and rotate the ratchet wheel -24 one tooth space to bring the next succeeding segments 13- into electrical contact with the commutator brush 14- thereby closing the lighting circuit and again energizing the lamps after which the push button 25* may be allowed to return to its normal position by its retract-- ing spring -28- leaving the wedge eXtenin engagement with the edge of the switch brush -8 which is then in electrical contact with the disk -7- to complete the closing of the circuit.

On the other hand, if the door should remain open while the person is in the room in which the lights are located and it is desired to extinguish the lights, it may be accomplished by simply pushing the button -25- inwardly to rotate the ratchet sleeve --10` and disk ,-7- carried thereby, oneeighth of a turn through the medium of the pawl -26- and ratchet wheel -24- which would bring one of the spaces between the tional means segments into registration with the commutator brush -14- for breaking the lighting circuit.

It is now clear from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings that by 'alternately pushing the button -25- inwardly after each return, the lighting circuit may be opened and closed at will, whether the door is opened or closed and that no matter how many times the push button has been forced inwardly in either position of the door, the closing of the door will automatically break the lighting circuit in case it should be closed, while on the other hand, the lighting circuit will always be closed and the lights energized by the opening of the door.

It is evident, however, that Various changes may be made in the detail construction and arrangement of the various parts of the device without departing from the spirit of this invention, and therefore, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction shown and described.

I claim: l

l. In ay door-controlled electric lighting switch, a rotary conducting member having contact segments in uniformly spaced relation, a ratchet wheel having a numb-er of teeth corresponding to the number of the segments and operativ-ely connected to the conducting member to rotate therewith, a self-retracting plunger actuated in one direction by the closing of the door and in the f opposite direction when the door is opened, pawls carried by the plunger for engaging 'the ratchet teeth and rota-ting the conducting member one-half tooth space at a time, each forward and return movement of the plunger 100 and the contact brush for the Segments, said brush and contact member being electrically connected in the lighting circuit, and addioperable at will for rotating said contact member step by step independ- 105 ently of the ymovements of the plunger.

2. In a door-controlled electric lighting switch, a rotary conducting member having contact segments in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially, brushes contacting re- 110 spectively with said member and with the segments and connected in the lighting circuit, means operable at will for rotating the contact members step by step to alternately register its segments and spaces with one of 1'15 the brushes and means actuated by the closing of the door for breaking contact between the other brush and the conducting member.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set 120 my hand this 27th day of October', 1923.

JOSEPH -M. KERN. 

